Chapter Summaries

Reno sent Alistair’s Savage Goblins across the river to serve the kingdom and allowed Ismir to hire some Goblin Knights for Windhelm Town. Ismir hired ten long-term mercenaries, who arrived with their pigs but without their equipment.

• Reno told Alistair’s tribe to cross the river and serve the kingdom, then sent for a ferry.
• Ismir asked Reno for permission to hire Goblin Knights, and Reno approved.
• Alistair agreed to Ismir’s offer of 100 Gold Coins for ten Goblin Knights on long-term contracts.
• Alistair paid the ten Goblin Knights and told them to settle matters with their families before staying behind.
• The Goblin Knights returned riding pigs in their leather underpants after leaving their weapons, ornaments, and other equipment with the tribe.

Ismir equipped the newly recruited Goblin Knights with basic weapons, while Roland returned to find Nyx furious that he had taken Darian Nightblade with him. Nyx confronted Roland behind a locked door, leaving the guards to keep everyone away.

• Ismir issued each Goblin Knight a spear and leather shield and told Ymir to arrange clothes for them.
• Lance told Roland that Reno had recruited goblins and that Nyx had left the decision to him.
• Nyx slapped Roland and demanded an explanation for his trip with Darian Nightblade.
• Nyx questioned Darian Nightblade, who admitted Roland had taken him along, then sent him out and locked the door with Roland inside.
• Darian Nightblade ordered the Royal Guard to keep people away from the upstairs room while Yun Feng left and Roland's cries turned into Nyx's moans.

Roland agreed to meet Alistair, chieftain of a Savage Goblin tribe seeking protection, employment, and territory in the Lagrange Kingdom. After hearing the tribe’s terms and the Goblin Knights’ military value, Roland asked how their payment would be calculated.

• Darian Nightblade nervously tried to appease Roland after taking the blame for the previous night’s incident, but Roland told him to get lost.
• Roland learned that Reno had recruited about a thousand Savage Goblin Knights, along with their families and Tutu Pigs, in exchange for protection, fair employment, and a safe place to settle.
• Roland and Omsk discussed the Goblin Knights’ strategic value and their ability to learn human knight skills, then Roland summoned their chieftain to Flowing City.
• Reno sent Alistair to meet Roland by Griffon, and Alistair greeted the king with an extended stream of praise before stating his tribe’s request to serve the kingdom.
• Roland accepted that protection and employment were possible, then asked Alistair how the tribe’s payment would be calculated.

Roland hired Alistair’s Savage Goblins as a mercenary force and planned to settle them south of Lulong Fortress. After setting out to inspect the wasteland with Darian Nightblade, Roland was caught by Nyx and asked to demonstrate the confidence he had just shown.

• Roland offered Alistair’s Savage Goblins employment terms and designated the wilderness south of Lulong Fortress as their temporary camp.
• Alistair accepted a short-term contract based on campaigns, with the kingdom providing supplies and food.
• Roland told Nyx that the Savage Goblins would keep ordinary soldiers out of the frontline, while the kingdom’s lack of tax revenue left it reliant on selling magical items.
• Roland left the castle with Darian Nightblade to inspect the southern wasteland, while Nyx stayed behind to teach the attendants royal etiquette.
• Nyx caught Roland at the stables and gently challenged him to show the kingly bearing he had displayed when announcing his plans.

Roland visited Giant Port and saw that Yu Modran had built a well-defended city and harbor, but the empty docks and shortage of large ships kept the port from supporting its people. Meanwhile, Ismir arranged leather armor for the Goblin Knights so they could begin hunting around the forest’s edge.

• Nyx reassured Roland that he should fulfill his duties as king, and Roland set out with Darian Nightblade, Omsk, and the Knight Order.
• Ymir and Ismir discussed the Goblin Knights’ lack of skills and armor, then agreed to equip them with leather armor made from stored hides.
• Ismir ordered the Goblin Knights to have their measurements taken and told them they could hunt along the outer edge of the forest once equipped.
• Roland praised Giant Port’s stone walls and defenses, while Yu Modran lamented that its docks stood mostly empty.
• Yu Modran explained that the port needed large ships to fish and feed its people, especially with living conditions expected to worsen.

Roland secured food for his army and discussed the kingdom’s shortages before visiting Lulong Fortress. He left Reno with his trust and a plea to keep enemies from reaching Flowing City, while Reno warned that the war was not Roland’s fault.

• Roland promised Yu Modran ships for fishing and explained that wheat from the shop had secured the army’s provisions.
• Roland traveled from Giant Port to Lulong Fortress, where Reno welcomed him with dinner.
• Roland told Reno he trusted his judgment and asked about his plans for the Savage Goblins; Reno argued they should be stationed for defense rather than micromanaged.
• Roland asked Reno to prevent Orcs from reaching Flowing City, lamenting the civilian deaths caused by war.
• Reno promised to do his best to delay enemies and reassured Roland that the Orcs would eventually have emerged from their fortress regardless.

Roland arranged for supplies and weapons to be delivered to the Savage Goblins, intending to strengthen them as a reserve force for future wars. After seeing how eagerly the Goblins welcomed their new weapons, he told Lafitte Antony to keep watch and ensure they remained ready to fight.

• Roland ordered Reno to provide the Savage Goblins with tents, logs, food, and other necessities so they could live comfortably outside the fortress.
• Roland told Reno and Lafitte Antony to collect old tents from the soldiers and send them to the Goblins.
• Chief Alistair received the supplies, including two hundred wooden round shields and one thousand Iron Spears, and the Goblin Knights eagerly claimed the weapons.
• Lafitte Antony reported that the Goblins were thrilled by the weapons but less interested in the white grain.
• Roland told Lafitte Antony to watch the Goblins and make sure they did not grow soft on provisions.

Roland visited Alistair’s Savage Goblin camp, warned them about the Wasteland Orcs, and offered to teach the Goblin Knights human knight skills. The goblins eagerly accepted Reno as their instructor, while Ismir later woke to find the Goblin Knights presenting their hunt.

• Alistair welcomed Roland to the Savage Goblins’ camp and said the tribe was safe and well supplied.
• Alistair explained that the Goblin Knights had defeated an Orc ambush, and Roland told him that fighting Wasteland Orcs would be one of their future duties.
• Roland offered to have the Goblin Knights learn human knight skills from Reno, and Alistair eagerly accepted.
• Reno agreed to guide the goblins when he had time, and the Goblin Knights cheered at the prospect of learning more skills.
• Roland blessed the tribe and departed after Alistair thanked him for taking them in.
• Ismir woke to find the Goblin Knights holding up their prey as though presenting it to him.

Ismir and Ymir struggled to feed Windhelm Town after hiring ten Goblin Knights, while Ismir worried about their dangerous hunting trips. When Roland offered the Goblin Knights training in knight skills, Ismir celebrated, then realized their food supplies would soon run low and decided to lead a hunting party himself.

• Ismir worried when the Goblin Knights returned from hunting deep in the forest, but Ymir explained that their growing appetites had worsened the food shortage.
• Ymir described his plan to ration staple foods and have residents fish and gather food, while Ismir proposed safer hunting for field mice and rabbits near the Swift River.
• A Griffon Knight informed Ismir that Roland wanted the Goblin Knights to learn knight skills, and the Goblin Knights celebrated the news.
• Ymir reminded Ismir that they would soon run out of food without the Goblin Knights' hunting trips, so Ismir volunteered to lead a hunt and told Ymir to stay behind.

After the forbidden spell war devastated the Lion Territory, Roland considered how to help Duke Apophis Breo and secure enough food for the kingdom. Adolf Heinrich proposed sending Dragon Riders south to Gondor to buy grain, leaving the kingdom with a practical plan to prepare for winter.

• Yun Feng and Adolf Heinrich cleared lingering elemental turbulence from the Lion Territory, where the ruined fields could yield only about half the crops.
• Apophis Breo declined the kingdom’s aid, saying the elves of Hidden Valley would provide supplies.
• Roland decided the Lion Territory needed more support and complained that Rivendell owed it for serving as a shield against the Orcs.
• Roland considered taking Dragon Riders to Rivendell to demand more supplies, but Yun Feng warned that it would damage the kingdom’s reputation.
• Adolf Heinrich suggested sending Dragon Riders to Gondor with Spatial Equipment to buy and carry grain back.

Yun Feng planned to trade exceptional knight equipment for grain after the southern autumn harvest, while Roland and Adolf Heinrich discussed payment and transport. Yun Feng left to prepare the equipment, and Nyx offered to take over government affairs.

• Yun Feng proposed buying grain after the autumn harvest, and Adolf Heinrich agreed that Gondor’s abundant crop should make for a good purchase.
• Roland warned against spending too many Gold Dragon Coins, so Yun Feng decided to trade exceptional-grade knight equipment for grain instead.
• Roland questioned how they would transport the grain, and Yun Feng explained that he could make large-capacity Spatial Equipment for the job.
• Yun Feng left to prepare the equipment and said he would stop handling government affairs for a while, prompting Adolf Heinrich to notify Lance.
• Nyx arrived and offered to take over government affairs while Yun Feng worked on the equipment.

Yun Feng stopped handling government affairs to craft magical equipment and earn money for the kingdom’s grain shortage. He began forging a Star Silver Steel breastplate, while Lance reported that Queen Nyx had quickly taken over the administrative work.

• Yun Feng told Lance that Lagrange needed twenty-five thousand tons of grain but lacked the money to buy it, so he planned to earn funds by crafting magical equipment.
• Lance left before Yun Feng could arrange a handover of the government affairs to Queen Nyx.
• Yun Feng chose Star Silver Steel for the knight equipment because it was durable and affordable.
• Yun Feng used the Lava Forge and magic to shape and quench a breastplate, spending the entire morning on it.
• Lance told Yun Feng that Queen Nyx was handling government affairs quickly and competently.

Yun Feng explained that the breastplate he had made was only an unfinished blank, while Star Elf King Eowyn learned why Orc Warg Riders had been crossing Star Elf territory. He discovered that Dol Guldur’s scouts had mistaken Aquavia for Lagrange and were fighting Aquavia’s forces instead.

• Yun Feng told Lance that the breastplate still needed magical runes and activation before it would be complete.
• Eowyn questioned Peter Gro about the Orc Warg scouts appearing throughout Star Elf territory and ordered him to investigate.
• Peter Gro reported that a war had devastated the Northern Territory and that Grand Duke Junlin Apophis Breo’s forces had fought a Forbidden Spell War against Gundabad.
• Peter Gro explained that Dol Guldur had sent Warg Riders to infiltrate Lagrange, but their outpost and scouts had misidentified Aquavia as part of Lagrange.
• Eowyn and Peter Gro learned that Aquavia’s cavalry had been driving off the Warg Riders, reinforcing the Orcs’ mistaken belief that they were fighting Lagrange’s soldiers.

Eowyn ordered the Star Elves to strike an Orc stronghold after Orc Warg Riders threatened Singri and its people. The Rangers and swordsmen isolated the stronghold, and Eowyn prepared to begin the assault.

• Eowyn rejected waiting for the alliance and ordered Peter Gro to send two thousand Star Elf soldiers against the Orcs.
• Peter Gro assembled the force, and Eowyn urged the soldiers to fight for Singri, the stars, and their people.
• Elf Rangers and swordsmen ambushed Orc Warg Riders around Mirkwood, cutting off the stronghold from outside contact.
• Peter Gro reported that the preparations were complete, and Eowyn declared it was time for the Orcs to feel the Star Elves' wrath.

Eowyn’s Star Elves ambushed an Orc outpost and wiped out its Orc Warg Riders despite the defenders’ fierce resistance. Peter Gro reported the victory to Eowyn.

• Eowyn ordered the Star Elves to attack, and they used bird calls to signal a coordinated assault.
• Elf Rangers killed Orcs around the outpost with arrows, but a Warg detected the scent of blood and alerted the camp.
• Orc Warg Riders tried to break out, and Berserkers with Battle Qi endured the Rangers’ arrows.
• An Orc Warg Rider charged the Rangers, but two Elf swordsmen killed it and its Warg.
• Peter Gro told Eowyn that all the Orc Warg Riders in the outpost had been wiped out.

Eowyn and Peter Gro discussed the Orc Warg Riders killed in the Star Elves' territory and suspected the Nazgûl were making a move, while Roland remained unaware of the battle. Back in Lagrange, Roland wandered with Darian Nightblade and discussed Lavien's loyalty to Nyx, ending the walk more restless than before.

• Eowyn learned that more than two hundred Orcs had been cleared out and estimated the total force at over three hundred.
• Eowyn suspected other Nazgûl had infiltrated Dol Guldur and ordered the fortress watched closely.
• Roland checked Yun Feng's progress on magical equipment, but Yun Feng had not finished even one set.
• Roland left Yun Feng and walked with Darian Nightblade, who asked about Knight Captain Lavien.
• Roland explained that Lavien was loyal to Nyx and had no chain of command with him, then grew irritated when Darian teased him.

Roland secured the autumn harvest and considered a southern campaign, but the Lagrange Kingdom’s limited strength forced him to abandon the plan. Valfay then warned him that Omsk and the Goblin Knights had pursued a southern Orc clan across the Swift River, and the knights were still chasing the scattered Orcs.

• Roland ordered Omsk to put the soldiers on combat patrol to protect the harvest from Orc attacks.
• The Northern Territory completed a peaceful autumn harvest, and Roland secured enough new grain to feel more confident about future plans.
• Roland’s hopes of launching a southern campaign collapsed because the kingdom lacked the troops and infrastructure to support it.
• Valfay rushed to Roland and reported that a southern Orc clan had crossed the Swift River and that Omsk had led the Goblin Knights in pursuit.
• The Goblin Knights continued chasing the scattered Orcs along the northern bank of the Swift River.

Goblin Chieftain Alista led his Savage Goblin Knights against a hungry Orc tribe that had crossed the Swift River, killing adult Orcs and capturing some young ones. Valfay reported the Goblin Pig Riders’ rampage to Roland, who learned that an entire Banner Knight Order had left Lulong Fortress.

• Alista’s Goblin Knights pursued and slaughtered the Orcs, while Alista angrily ordered his men to capture healthy Orc brats for labor.
• Alista split his forces to hunt the scattered Orcs after they attacked the Goblin settlement and tried to seize its food and Tutu Pigs.
• After questioning captured Orcs, Alista concluded their tribe threatened the Lagrange Kingdom and led his clan to attack without notifying Lulong Fortress.
• Elf Rangers spotted the Goblin Pig Riders rampaging across the region and reported the anomaly to Valfay.
• Roland asked Yun Feng to contact Lulong Fortress, and Yun Feng reported that an entire Banner Knight Order of Goblin Knights had gone missing.

The Savage Goblin Knight Orders swept the plains, slaughtering Orcs and capturing survivors as slaves while bringing back food and spoils. When Adolf Heinrich asked Roland whether he would stop the enslavement, Roland approved it as a useful way to dispose of the Orcs.

• Yun Feng told Roland that the Savage Goblins had left their women and children in camp, and Roland learned the Knight Orders were fighting Orcs across the plain.
• The Goblin Knights hunted Orc groups, killing many and capturing survivors, including half-grown Orcs, to take back as slaves.
• Alistair killed an Orc prisoner who cursed him, then ordered the other prisoners executed instead of interrogating them because he already knew their clan.
• Roland praised the Knight Orders' tenacity and told Yun Feng to equip the Pig Riders with refined-steel weapons; Yun Feng reported that the Goblins had also seized Orc food stores.
• Adolf Heinrich told Roland the Savage Goblins were treating Orcs as commodities, and Roland said it was a good use of waste.

Roland rewarded the Savage Goblins for defeating the Orcs by forgiving their equipment debt, then turned to Yun Feng for help securing food for the winter. Yun Feng gave Roland a Space Bracelet containing ten sets of equipment, and Roland sent Darian Nightblade to fetch Caslo.

• Roland dismissed Adolf Heinrich’s concerns about the Savage Goblins and decided to waive their debt for the kingdom-subsidized equipment as their reward.
• Adolf Heinrich accepted Roland’s decision and went to inform the Savage Goblins.
• Roland called on Yun Feng to discuss buying food for the winter.
• Yun Feng handed Roland a Space Bracelet containing ten sets of equipment.
• Roland ordered Darian Nightblade to bring Caslo, and Darian left whistling.